The Jewish Fund Awards Mercy Primary Care Center $100,000 Over Three Years for Chronic Disease Management of Hypertensive Patients

Mercy Primary Care Center of Detroit (MPCC) has recently received a grant award of $100,000 over three years from The Jewish Fund for the chronic disease management of hypertension.

Detroit, MI (Vocus) June 19, 2010

Mercy Primary Care Center of Detroit (MPCC) has recently received a grant award of $100,000 over three years from The Jewish Fund for the chronic disease management of hypertension. This grant includes home blood pressure monitoring equipment, medication, imaging services and learning materials for all uninsured hypertensive patients at MPCC.

It is estimated that one out of three American adults has high blood pressure, or hypertension. Having high blood pressure increases one’s chance for developing heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. It is more prevalent in African-Americans and particularly high among black women. It is estimated that about 90% of all middle-aged adults will develop high blood pressure in their lifetime.

The grant program at MPCC will consist of four major areas: evaluation, medication, education and self-management. MPCC will provide patients with medication, self-monitoring equipment and educational resources to help them manage their illness for life. Each patient will receive a home monitoring blood pressure cuff to be used every day, which will record daily readings. This cuff can be brought to a patient’s visit and the information downloaded, printed out, and reviewed with the patient to discuss progress toward goals and barriers to self-management. In addition, the grant will also be used to cover the costs of maintenance medication, education materials as well as diagnostic lab and imaging services to monitor heart function and screen for complications.

MPCC is a health center serving the needs of Detroit’s uninsured. Its mission is to provide a medical safety net for uninsured adults who require healthcare services to improve their quality of life. MPCC seeks to eliminate barriers to comprehensive care by providing laboratory, diagnostic testing, limited specialty care, health education, pharmaceuticals and transportation free of charge. MPCC treats the whole person-body, mind, and spirit-rather than an isolated ailment. MPCC is a continuing ministry of Trinity Health.

The Jewish Fund was established in 1997 from the proceeds of the sale of Sinai Hospital and supports health and social welfare needs in the Jewish community and general population in Metro Detroit.